Lubricating device



June 1956 v. E. M COY 2,751,263

LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed Nov. 6, 1953 Ve/"ZZT L/7(c Cay LUBRICATINGDEVICE Verl E. McCoy, La Grange, lll.

Application November 6, 1953, Serial No. 390,453

13 Claims. (Cl. 308-85) My invention relates to lubricating devices andparticularly to lubricating devices for axles of railroad cars and thelike and has for one purpose the provision of a lubricating device whichmay be easily and quickly removed and installed.

Another purpose is to provide a lubricating device and support thereforwhich will be effective to apply the required amount of lubricant to anaxle irrespective of the temperature of lubricant available to thelubricating device.

Another purpose is to provide a support for a lubricant device, whichsupport shall be effective to cause the device to supply the properamount of lubricant to an axle irrespective of the temperature of saidlubricant.

Another purpose is to provide a seal for a rotating shaft or axle.

Another purpose is to provide a lubricating device having a memberthereon adapted to prevent injury to said lubricating device during theuse thereof.

Other purposes will appear from time to time throughout thespecification and claims.

My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view, in partial cross section of the deviceinstalled in a railroad junction box;

Figure 2 is a top view of the lubricating device and support therefor;

Figure 3 is an end view, in partial cross section, of the deviceillustrated in Figure 2 and on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a view taken on a line 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a detail view, on a reduced scale of the shaft sealillustrated in cross section in the right hand portion of Figure 1.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specificationand drawings.

Referring now to the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

Indicated generally at 1 is a journal box of a railway car. it wil beunderstood that my lubricating device may be utilized in a variety ofstructures in which a rotating member such as an axle, be lubricated.For purposes of illustration, however, the device is shown as applied tothe lubrication of axles of railway cars.

Indicated at 2 is an axle to be lubricated, disposed within the journalbox. Beneath the axle 2 is the lubricating device generally indicated at3. As will be seen in Figure 1 the lubricating device is installedwithin the journal box 1 in such manner to insure that a portion of thedevice is held in pressure contact with a portion of the axle 2, theaxle 2 being supported in no way by the lubricating device itself.

An axle bearing is indicated at 4. in the case of the railway journalbox illustrated, the axle bearing 4 is held, as by the wedge 5, betweenthe axle and the top wall of the box and bears downwardly upon an uppersurface of the axle within the journal box 1. For a more detaileddescription of the lubricating device 3 itself, reference 2,751,263Patented June 19, 1956 ice may be had to my copending application SerialNo. 322,503, filed November 25, 1952, for Lubricating Device. It issulficient herein to state that the device 3 is comprised of a housinglil, which, may be formed of two half-shell members 1t'la-lllb, each ofwhich has a peripheral trough or semispherical channel 11-12. When thetwo half-shell members are secured together, as by the bolt-and-rutconnections 6-7, the troughs 11-12 are in registration with each otherto form a peripheral race 13. Disposed within the race 13 is a pluralityof roller members or balls 15. Adjacent the lower portion, consideringthe device in the position which it assumes when installed, is theaperture or apertures 16, through which the lubricant generallyindicated at 20 in the bottom of the journal box 1, enters the device tobe picked up by the balls 15 as they pass through the race portionhaving the apertures 16. A portion of an outer edge of the device andthe race 13 is cut away as at 22 to an extent sufiicient to permit aportion of each of the balls 15 to extend therethrough as each balltraverses the cut-away portion. This cut-away portion is of insuflicientsize and depth, however, to permit the escape of the balls 15 from therace 13 or the housing 10.

It will be understood that the lubricating device is held in operatingposition at a vertically inclined angle, as illustrated in Figure 1. Thecut away portion 22 is held in alignment with the bottom portion of theaxle 2 to permit those portions of the balls 15 extending through thecut away portion to contact the axle 2 and to be rotated through therace 13 in response to such contact upon rotation of the axle 2. It willbe seen, as is set forth in greater detail in my copending applicationreferred to above, that the balls, in moving through the race 13, pickup lubricant in the bottom portion thereof and transfer said lubricantto the axle as they traverse the cut away portion 22.

Many mechanisms, such as the railway truck axle and box car journal box,are subject to fluctuation, vibration and shifting of the relativeposition of the parts to be lubricated. Thus, the lubricating devicemust be yieldingly held in pressure contact with the axle or item to belubricated and, if continuous lubrication is to be achieved the devicemust be so held throughout such shifting and vibration.

25 illustrates a support for the lubricating device 3. The support 25may be formed of a leaf spring having a general curvature such as thatillustrated in Figure 1. Adjacent one end of the leaf spring 25 is anaperture 26 through which the securing means 27, which may be a nut andbolt connection, penetrates to secure the lubricating device 3 thereto,as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3. In order to provide flexibilitythe lubricating device 3 may be pivotally mounted on the securing means27, as illustrated in Figure 1 generally at 23. Adjacent the oppositeend of the leaf spring 25 is a second aperture 29 through which thesecuring means 30, which may be also a nut and bolt connection,penetrates to secure the support 25 to a generally fixed structure, suchas the journal box 1, adjacent the item to be lubricated. While thedrawings illustrate the support 25 as being secured to the journal boxadjacent the outer lower lip thereof, and while I find this to be aparticularly satisfactory arrangement, it will be realized that thedevice could be secured to other portions of other generally fixedstructures near an item to be lubricated without departing from thenature and scope of my invention. The support 25 has the elbow or bentportion 31 arranged to permit the end thereof which carries the aperture29 to lie along the flattened outer lower lip of the journal box 1.

While, as will be described in greater detail below, the support 25might consist of a single strip of metal responsive to the temperatureof the lubricant 20, I find it advantageous also to form the support 25of two metal strips '3 .9 as indicated in Figure 3 at 25a25b, thusforming a bimetallic spring or support. In such structure, the twostrips are placed back-toback, so to speak, and since the cocficients ofexpansion and contraction of the two metals are different, a change intemperature of the lubricant causes a bending of the curve portion and aconsequent increase or decrease in pressure of the device 3 against theaxle 2.

As will be best seen in Figure 1 the support 25 is curved sutficientlyto permit the curved intermediate portion to lie within the lowerportion of the lubricant supply 20.

While the tension of the leaf spring support 25 and its measurements mayvary, I find, for example, when the device 3 itself weighs about threeand one-half pounds, the spring tension may be four and one-half to fivepounds and it may measure about one-sixteenth inch by one and one-halfinches in cross section.

The lubricating device is subject to substantial vibration and shifting.Thus it is possible for the lower por tion thereof to contact the bottomwall 1a of the journal box 1 or the bottom Wall of whatever container issupplied for the supply of lubricant such as the lubricant 20. Suchcontact would, of course, tend to injure the device 3. I thereforeprovide a bumper or protector 50 along the lowermost outer portion ofthe lubricating device 3. As will be seen from a view of Figure 3 thebumper 50, which may be composed of a material having thecharacteristics of rubber, may be located intermediate the-groupings ofapertures 16. Since the lubricating device is 'nor- 9 mally installed ina plane inclined to the vertical, the bumper 50 must rise upwardly alongthe outer circumference of the channel 13 a distance sufiicient toinsure that the bumper 50 will intervene between the device 3 and thefloor in as shown at 51 in Figure l.

Illustrated M69 in Figure l is the aperture in one end of the railroadjunction box 1 which is penetrated by the axle 2. 61 indicates a sealfor said axle and said aperture, effective to prevent the loss oflubricant therebetween. The seal 61 may be formed of foam neoprenerubber and is proportioned to fit snugly between the vertical walls 112,which have the aperture 60 and constitute a channel and support for theseal 61. As indicated in Figure 5 the seal 61 may be unitary and mayhave a generally centrally located aperture 62 through which the axle 2extends. The diameter of the aperture 62 will normally be slightly lessthan that portion of the axle 2 which cooperates with the seal, forexample, the diameter 62 may be approximately one-half inch less indiameter when the item to be lubricated is a railroad car axle. Theouter configuration of the seal 61 is arranged to'conform in generaloverall design with that of the journal box 1, i. e., the seal 61 has agenerally rounded bottom edge 63 and a squared upper portion 64. It willbe realized that the seal 61 may be inserted downwardly into the channelformed by the walls Ib1c before the axle 2 is allowed to penetrate theapertures 60 and the housing 1. Thereafter the axle 2 may be insertedthrough the aperture 69 in the journal box 1 and through the aperture 62inthe seal 61 to take the position illustrated in Figure l.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and claimed apractical and operative device, nevertheless, many changes may be madein size, shape, number and disposition of the parts without departingfrom the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description anddrawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammaticrather than as limiting me to the specific showing herein.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I provide a lubricating device which is effective to transfer lubricantsfrom a supply thereof to a rotating item to be lubricated, such as therailroad car axle 2. Since the lubricant illustrated at is effected byfluctuations in temperature, whereby the lubricant will become morestiff at lower temperatures and will thin out at higher temperatures,means are required to vary the amount of lubricant transferred to theaxle 2 in response to such changes in temperature of the lubricant. Asset forth in my copending application above, the amount of lubricanttransferred to the axle 2 will vary substantially in proportion to thepressure of the balls 15 upwardly against the axle 2 as they traversethe cut away portion 22 in the lubricating device 3. Varying said upwardpressure of the balls 15 against the axle 2 causes a correspondingvariance in the speed of the balls 15 through the race 13 and thuscauses a varied amount of lubricant to be transferred to the axle 2 inany given period of time.

I therefore provide a support for the lubricant device 3,

which support shall be itself responsive to changes in the temperatureof the lubricant 20 to vary the pressure of the balls 15 against theaxle 2 and thus to vary the amount of lubricant transfer per unit oftime to the axle 2 in response to changes in the temperature of thelubricant. The support 25 is secured to the journal box 1 and is causedto lie substantially within the lubricant 20 in a generally curved pathand to support the device 3 ate point adjacent the end of the support 25opposite the end secured to the ends of the'box 1. The support 25 takesthe general form of a leaf spring or strip of metal. The curved portionof the support 25 is formed of metal or metals which in response tochanges in temperature will tend to contract and expand, saidcontraction and'expansion causing a greater or lesser curvature in thesupport 25. As the curvature is-increased the balls 15 are pressedupwardly against the axle 2 at a greater contact pressure. Conversely asthe curvature of the support 25 is lessened in response to changes inthe temperature of lubricant 20 the pressure of the balls 15 against theaxle '2 is decreased. Thus the support 25 is effective to supply agreater or lesser amount of lubricant to the axle 2 per unit of time asthe temperature of the lubricant 20 varies.

I provide a lubricant device which carries secured thereto its ownprotective and supporting element, namely the rubber-like bumper 50which is effective to protect those portions of the device likely tocome into vibrating and shifting contact with portions of the housingsurrounding the item to be lubricated. Since the bumper 50 is secureddirectly to the device 3 it cannot be separated therefrom as a result ofthe vibration and shifting to which the device is subjected.

I utilize a seal adapted to seal a housing and rotating shaft insertedthereinto, which seal may be slidably inserted into a seal-supportingchannel such as that formed by the walls 1b, 1cof the journal box 1.Since the seal 61 is formed integrally of one piece no possibility ofleakage between separate portions of a seal exists. Since the aperture62 is formed in this unitary seal and has a'diameterless than the axleportion to be sealed a very effective sealing contact is created betweenthe seal and the axle "portion. Since the seal is formed of foamneoprenerubbet a close and effective sealing contact may be achieved with the'axle 2 and continued rotation does not enlarge the'aperture 62 to createleaks. Since the above-described seal forms no part of the presentinvention, no claim is made thereto.

I claim:

1.- A lubricating device comprising, a box member, a

housing in said box member, a race of balls in said'housiri'g,"anopening in said'housing in registration with said race of 'sufiicientsize to permit a portion of 'said balls to "extend there'th'rough andapertures in said housing in registration'with said race, a supply oflubricant in said box member and available to said housing apertures andmeansin said box member responsive to changes in temperature of saidlubricant to vary the position of -said housing within said box member.

2. A lubricating device comprising, a box member, a housing positionedwithin saidbox member, a race of balls in said housing, an opening insaid housing in registration with said race of sufiicient size to permita portion of said balls to extend therethrough and apertures in saidhousing in registration with said race, a supply of lubricant in saidbox member and available to said housing apertures and means in said boxmember responsive to changes in temperature of said lubricant to varythe position of said housing within said box member, and means forprotecting a portion of said housing against injury including a bumpersecured to the outer portion of said housing diametrically opposite fromsaid housing opening.

3. In combination, a railroad car journal box, a railroad car truck axleextending Within said box, said box being substantially larger in crosssection than said axle, a housing positioned within said journal boxbetween a wall thereof and said axle, a race of generally roundedmembers rotatably and movably mounted in said housing, an opening insaid housing through which extends a portion of said rounded members, asupply of lubricant in said journal box and in contact with saidhousing, an aperture in said housing at the point of contact of saidlubricant and in communication with said race, a support for saidhousing adapted to maintain a portion of said rounded members whichextends through said opening yieldingly in pressure contact with saidaxle as said rounded members are forced to traverse said opening byrotation of the axle against said rounded members, said supportcomprising a metal strip secured at one end to said journal box and atthe other end to said housing, said strip having a curved portionintermediate its ends and extending into said lubricant supply.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said support is formed of at leasttwo metals having different coeflicients of expansion and contraction inresponse to thermal changes.

5. A lubricating device, comprising, a box-like member, a supply oflubricant in said box-like member, means for transferring said lubricantfrom said supply to an item to be lubricated, and a support connected tosaid lubricant-transferring means and to said box-like member, saidsupport including a bimetallic strip having a portion in contact withsaid lubricant supply.

6. In combination, a journal box having a railroad truck axle extendingthereinto, said box being substantially larger in cross section thansaid axle, a supply of lubricant in said journal box, means in saidjournal box for transferring said lubricant to said axle, and a supportfor said lubricant-transferring means including a bimetallic stripsecured at one end to said journal box and at the other end to saidlubricant-transferring means, a por tion of said bimetallic stripintermediate said ends being immersed in said lubricant supply.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said lubricanttransferring means ispivoted to said bimetallic strip.

8. The structure of claim 6 wherein said bimetallic strip is secured atone end to the outer, lower lip portion of the journal box and whereinsaid bimetallic strip curves downwardly therefrom into the lubricantsupply and thereafter curves upwardly out of said lubricant supply at anangle to the axis of said axle.

9. In combination in a lubricating system for railroad car journalboxes, a journal box having a railroad truck axle extending thereinto,said box being substantially larger in cross section than said axle, ahousing adapted to fit within said journal box between a wall of saidjournal box and said axle, a race of generally rounded members rotatablyand movably mounted in said housing, an opening in said housing throughwhich extends a portion of said rounded members, a supply of lubricantin said journal box and in contact with said housing, an

aperture in said housing at a point of contact of said lubricant and incommunication with said race, a support for said housing adapted tomaintain a portion of said rounded members which extends through saidopening yieldingly in pressure contact with said axle as said roundedmembers are forced to traverse said opening by rotation of the axleagainst said rounded members, said support including a bimetallic stripsecured at one end to said journal box and at the other to said housing.

10. In combination in a lubricating system for railroad car journalboxes, a journal box having a railroad truck axle extending thereinto,said box being substantially larger in cross section than said axle, ahousing adapted to fit within said journal box between a wall of saidjournal box and said axle, a race of generally rounded members rotatablyand movably mounted in said housing, an opening in said housing throughwhich extends a portion of said rounded members, a supply of lubricantin said journal box and in contact with said housing, an aperture insaid housing at the point of contact of said lubricant and incommunication with said race, a support for said housing adapted tomaintain a portion of said rounded members which extends through saidopening yieldingly in pressure contact with said axle as said roundedmembers are forced to traverse said opening by rotation of the axleagainst said rounded members, said support including a bimetallic stripsecured at one end to said journal box and at the other end to saidhousing, said bi-metallic strip having a curved portion intermediate itsends and immersed in said lubricant supply.

11. In combination in a lubricating system for railroad car journalboxes, a journal box having a railroad truck axle extending thereinto,said box being substantially larger in cross section than said axle, ahousing adapted to fit within said journal box between a Wall of saidjournal box and said axle, a race of generally rounded members rotatablyand movably mounted in said housing, an opening in said housing throughwhich extends a portion of said rounded members, a supply of lubricantin said journal box and in contact with said housing, an aperture insaid housing at the point of contact of said lubricant and incommunication with said race, a support for said housing adapted tomaintain a portion of said rounded members which extends through saidopening yieldingly in pressure contact with said axle as said roundedmembers are forced to traverse said opening by rotation of the axleagainst said rounded members, said support including a bi-metallic stripsecured at one end to said journal box and at the other end to saidhousing, said bi-metallic strip having a curved portion intermediate itsends and immersed in said lubricant supply, and bumper means disposedbetween said housing and said journal box wall including a flexible padsecured to the lower portion of said housing.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said pad is composed of flexiblematerial having the characteristics of rubber.

13. In combination, a rotating shaft, a supply of lubricant arrangedadjacent said shaft, a container for said lubricant supply, means fortransferring lubricant from said supply to said shaft, and means forvarying the position of said lubricant-transfer means in relation tosaid shaft, including a support secured to said lubricant-transfer meansand secured to said container, said support having a portion in contactwith said lubricant supply and responsive to temperature changestherein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,589,058 Erickson June 15, 1926

